Staff Engineer Hardware

Northrop Grumman; United States; Hybrid; USD 161,000 - 241,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off

Education assistance

Training and development

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in San Diego invites a Staff Hardware Engineer (Level 5) to lead RF/digital hardware sustainment for a key program. The role focuses on defining test strategies, driving improvements, and guiding investigations across a complex hardware portfolio, while collaborating with systems, software, and manufacturing teams.

Based on the Senior level requirements, the role requires a strong track record in RF/test engineering and the ability to mentor staff, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 11+ years of related engineering experience; or Master’s with 9+ years; or PhD with 7+ years.
• Experience with classified and unclassified networks, secure data/storage solutions, and government interfaces.
• Reading specifications, schematics, and block diagrams and translating them into test/troubleshooting approaches.
• Hands-on electrical and RF troubleshooting using multimeters, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving improvement efforts.
• Active Government Secret level Security Clearance; ability to obtain DoD Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for RF/digital hardware sustainment across the program.
• Define and drive hardware test strategies, architectures, and equipment roadmaps.
• Own high-impact investigations (RCCAs) and lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex issues.
• Analyze hardware/test performance data to identify systemic trends and lead corrective actions.
• Guide development, verification, and implementation of new test methods, fixtures, and equipment.
• Collaborate with systems, software, and manufacturing engineering for robust integration.
• Mentor engineers and technicians in troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
• Establish and maintain product yield targets; drive yield improvement initiatives.
• Support depot maintenance and field location technical support as needed.
• Align hardware sustainment priorities with program objectives.

Skills

RF hardware

Test strategy

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Electrical RF troubleshooting

Schematic reading

Analytical thinking

Technical decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

C

C++

LabVIEW

Python

VHDL

FPGA

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and Cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems has an opening for a Staff Hardware Engineer (Level 5) to join our Manufacturing Engineering team supporting F-22. This position will be located at our Mission Systems Sector in San Diego, CA.

In this role, you will serve as a technical leader and subject‑matter expert for RF/digital hardware, driving sustainment strategy, design improvements, and test/process optimization across a complex hardware portfolio. The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s San Diego Operations Test Engineering Department. The department supports the Communication Systems (CS) Business Unit and Secure Processing and Networking (SPAN) Business Unit within the Networked Information Solutions (NIS) Division of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. This position is fulltime onsite and is located at both the Rancho Carmel campus in San Diego and will also support our Spectrum campus in San Diego. This role reports to the Test Engineering Manager in San Diego. Our expertise is in delivering complex communications solutions to enable modern battlefields and support communications missions.

What You’ll Do

• Provide technical leadership and direction for RF/digital hardware sustainment across the program
• Define and drive hardware test strategies, architectures, and equipment roadmaps
• Own high‑impact investigations (RCCAs) and lead cross‑functional teams to resolve complex hardware and test issues
• Analyze hardware and test performance data to identify systemic trends and lead corrective/improvement actions
• Guide the development, verification, and implementation of new or improved test methods, fixtures, and equipment
• Collaborate with systems, software, and manufacturing engineering to ensure robust hardware/software integration
• Mentor and coach engineers and technicians, building capability in troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis
• Establish and maintain product yield targets; drive yield improvement initiatives and report status in program forums
• Support organizational and depot‑level maintenance and technical support at customer and field locations, as needed
• Partner with program management and functional leadership to align hardware sustainment priorities with program objectives

Telework: Scheduled telework may be approved at the manager’s discretion.

Travel: Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline and a minimum of 11 or more years of related engineering experience; or Master’s degree in a STEM discipline and a minimum of 9 or more years of related engineering experience; or PhD in a STEM discipline and a minimum of 7 or more years of related engineering experience
• Experience working with classified and unclassified networks, secure data/storage solutions, and government interfaces
• Working knowledge of engineering principles, processes, and software/hardware integration
• Hands‑on experience performing electrical and RF troubleshooting using equipment such as multimeters, network/spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.
• Experience reading and interpreting specifications, schematics, and block diagrams and translate them into test and troubleshooting approaches
• Experience assessing test equipment effectiveness (availability, performance, quality) and leading improvement efforts
• Analytical thinking, problem‑solving, and technical decision‑making skills on complex hardware issues
• Experience leading and influencing cross‑functional teams to work both independently and as part of an integrated product team
• Active Government Secret level Security Clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance
• US Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a hardware technical lead or subject‑matter expert on a major program or product line
• Experience leading an organization as a manger with direct reports
• Experience writing, reviewing, and presenting technical information to internal stakeholders and external customers
• MS degree in Electrical Engineering or related field, with specialization in RF or high‑speed digital design
• Knowledge of C, C++, LabVIEW, Python or other scripting languages used in automated test environments
• Familiarity with FPGA/VHDL concepts and programming, and their interaction with hardware test and diagnostics
• Experience in high‑reliability, aerospace/defense hardware environments (mil/aero standards, environmental test, etc.)
• Active DoD Top Secret Clearance #MPR

What We Can Offer You

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family. Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off, and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Primary Level Salary Range: $161,000.00 - $241,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.